When it Comes to Reliability, is Underground Always the Answer?

Following a large storm that results in widespread and lengthy power outages, one can almost bet money that at least one major media outlet will report a story or offer an editorial suggesting that the local utility (or utilities) should move their lines underground. That way, the media suggests, future outages will be prevented, or at least significantly reduced, because there will be no more overhead lines to lose power as a result of trees or limbs falling on them, or the poles breaking. And, the stories usually add for good measure, underground lines are safer, in that the potential for children or others to come in contact with live wires above ground is eliminated.

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